Overdose Prevention Education and Naloxone Distribution

Posted March 9, 2017 by support

The Overdose Prevention Education and Naloxone Distribution (OPEND) Project is an Alameda County wide project aimed to address overdose death rates in our communities and provide skills to organizations and individuals to save lives. Overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, but we know by equipping people who use drugs and their communities with knowledge and naloxone, these deaths are preventable and reversible.

OPEND provides naloxone distribution at all HEPPAC syringe exchange sites. Participants can get a naloxone kit after a brief (5-10) minute training and can get unlimited refills. OPEND provides kits to participants through other sites in the County as well, including harm reduction programs, methadone clinics and homeless outreach organizations.

Overdose Prevention Education and Naloxone Distribution coordinator Savanna O’Neill holds an Opioid overdose rescue kit provided by HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda County during a weekly needle distribution on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. The overdose reversing drug naloxone is used to help counter the effects of opioids. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

OPEND also provides overdose prevention education trainings and technical assistance to providers free of charge in Alameda County. OPEND trains staff at a variety of programs; re-entry, substance use treatment, shelters, mental health and legal organizations. Trainings are typically between 1-2 hours, can be modified to fit the needs of each organization and are provided on site. These trainings cover a range of topics including the current opioid overdose context and trends, overdose prevention, overdose recognition and response, the use of naloxone, information about California laws and assistance implementing services into a variety of settings.

If you would like the OPEND Project to come to your organization and provide a training please contact Savannah O’Neill at soneill@casasegura.org or 510-473-7504